Ready or not, here comes the 2009 economy. To provide an understanding of next year's financial prospects for agriculture and agricultural products, Cornell's annual Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference is slated for Tuesday, Dec. 9, in Kennedy Hall's David L. Call Alumni Auditorium.

Among the program's highlights:

• Steven Kyle, associate professor of applied economics and management, will provide his annual economic prognosis for the upcoming year. He will discuss the 2008 financial meltdown and bailout and how the fiscal stimulus package will work.
• Patrick Hooker, New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, will explain how the state is bolstering connections between local food producers and consumers.
• Paul Esposito, senior vice president of RailexUSA, will examine how companies can save energy by using the railroad to transport goods over long distances. He also will discuss the local agglomeration services that New York producers use to reach markets.
• Sam Simon, president of Hudson Valley Fresh dairy, will talk on the formation and growth of the Hudson Valley Fresh brand of high-quality milk. He will examine the value-added milk products, demand growth for local products and the company's expansion into New York City markets.

Breakout sessions on feed grains, dairy markets and specialty market outlooks are slated for the afternoon.

Intended for agribusiness professionals, industrial leaders, policymakers, educators and farm managers, the conference is presented by Cornell's Department of Applied Economics and Management.

For details on registration fees, see http://aem.cornell.edu/outreach/conferences/economic_outlook.htm or contact Linda Putnam at 607-255-8429 or e-mail LDP2@cornell.edu.